WEEVER FISH STINGS - SYMPTOMS + TREATMENT...... Weevers (or Weaver fish) are long (< 37 cm), mainly brown and have poisonous spines on their first dorsal fin and gills. During the day, weevers bury themselves in sand, just showing their eyes, usally in the warmer shallow water right on the shore line.(in ankle deep water) Symptoms: - At first many victims believe they have simply scratched them-self on a sharp stone or shell, although this barely hurts, significant pain begins about 2–3 minutes after being stung. Weever stings cause severe pain, common descriptions from victims are "extremely painful" and "much worse than a wasp (or bee) sting". Treatment: - Although extremely unpleasant, weever stings are not generally dangerous and the pain will ease considerably within a few hours even if untreated. Complete recovery may take a week or more; in a few cases victims have reported swelling and/or stiffness persisting for months after envenomation. First Aid treatment consists of immersing the affected area in hot water (as hot as the victim can bear) which will accelerate denaturation of the protein based venom. The use of hot water will reduce the pain felt by the victim after a few short minutes. Usual experience is that the pain then fades within ten to twenty minutes, as the water cools. Heat should be applied for at least 15 minutes but, as a rule of thumb: the longer the delay (before heat is applied) the longer the treatment should be continued. Once the pain has eased the injury should be checked for the remains of broken spines and any found need to be removed. Medical advice should be sought if any of the symptoms persist or if swelling spreads beyond the immediate area of injury (e.g. from hand to arm), or if any other factors causes concern.
Posted on: Wed, 24 Jul 2013 20:06:38 +0000
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